Frieze Sculpture – London’s Largest Outdoor Sculpture Park

5th July 2017

London’s largest outdoor sculpture park opens in Regent’s Park as part of the build up to this year’s Frieze London and Frieze Masters art fairs. Known collectively as Frieze, they have become one of (if not the) biggest events in the art world calendar since their 1991 inception, and the organisation is currently working hard to help break down the elusive barriers between those inside the fair and the general public outside, whilst actively engaging wider communities across the capital with artistic programming.

For the first time, Frieze has worked with twenty-four leading global artists and galleries to place sculptures around the Royal Park where they will stay until October 8th, creating what is the capital's biggest al fresco exhibition – and its all for free.

The works have been selected by Clare Lilley, who is the Director of Programme at Yorkshire Sculpture Park; one of the first, and most successful contemporary outdoor galleries in the UK. Each piece was submitted to Lilley for consideration by major galleries who are participating in this year's fair and the works represent significant pieces by masters of 20th century sculpture. Swiss artist Urs Fischer, who is known for his melting-wax men and houses made of bread; Pakistani-born constructivist artist Rasheed Araeen; USA graffiti artist KAWS and the king of British conceptual art, Sir Michael Craig-Martin and just some of the artists represented.

The sculptures have been placed conspicuously around the English Garden area of the park, contrasting electric colour palettes and strange monumental forms and textures against the park’s green grass and the cream stone of the John Nash's terraces in the distance. Throughout the show, Frieze’s programming partner, Art Fund, will be running public tours around the exhibition and an audio tour app has been designed that can be downloaded straight to your phone if you want a private one on one tour with the show’s curator.

At the opening the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, said: “It’s fantastic that the free Frieze Sculpture exhibition will open as part of an exceptional summer of culture in the capital, showing that London is open to innovation, creativity and to visitors from around the world. I’m delighted that this incredible exhibition will bring new audiences to contemporary art, inspiring Londoners and tourists alike.”

Meanwhile Curator Claire Liley picked out some of her favourites as: “Thomas J Price’s startling triple portraits of men of African origin from Hales Gallery, a six-metre-high ubiquitous toy-human gure by KAWS from Galerie Perrotin and some superb classical modern works by Magdalena Abakanowicz from Marlborough Fine Art”.

Candid Magazine’s works to look out for include Ugo Rondinone’s stunning white-enameled bronze tree from Sadie Coles HQ, John Chamberlain's bright pink rope knot work shown by Gagosian, Bernar Venet's powerful 17 Unequal Acute Angles presented by Blain|Southern, Alicia Kwade work composed of rocks and mirrors from Kamel Mennour Gallery, and Miguel Barceló's gravity-defying elephant from Acquavella Galleries. There has never been a better reason to get out and enjoy the sunshine.Frieze Sculpture, 5 July – 8 October 2017, The English Gardens, Regent’s Park, London. Entrance Free.Frieze London and Frieze Masters will take place, 5-8 October 2017, Regent’s Park, London.